Kabali ( 2016 ) Movie Review

Kabali ( 2016 ) Movie Review

Just getting first day show tickets for a Rajinikanth film is an achievement in itself. I was lucky enough to get one for Kabali, albeit in the front third row of the giant screen of a popular single screen in Matunga, Mumbai. [ Read: Great Grand Masti (2016) Review ]

Kabali starts with the regular “SUPERSTAR RAJINI” card flashing on screen. The loud whistles and claps from the euphoric crowd sets the mood for Thalaivar’s entry which comes shortly after. He is Kabaleeshwaran or Kabali, an aging don released from prison after 25 years of sentence for opposing the atrocities on fellow Tamils in Malaysia. [ Read: Sultan Film Review by Sumeet Nadkarni]

Kabali needs to search for his missing family – wife (Radhika Apte) and daughter (Dhansika). Besides, he has an axe to grind with a crime syndicate who call themselves 43. Something like the ‘Crazy 88’ in ‘Kill Bill’ (2003).

By the way, quite a few plot points draw influence from that Tarantino classic. Like the carnage in a temple is similar to the church massacre in Kill Bill. Kabali is also unaware of his daughter’s existence just like the Bride was. Rajini Sir is styled like ‘Godfather’ Corleone. These Hollywood influences aside, Kabali is Rajinikanth show all the way… [ Read: The Virgins – Short Film Review]

Right from his dramatic entry to his typical dialogue delivery and the confident swagger, Rajini Sir dominates the entire film and trust me, you can’t take your eyes off him. I mean I wasn’t really bothered which Chinese or Indian goon he was fighting with and why… Truly, the cause is immaterial, the effect Sir creates on screen is spellbinding.

Of the supporting cast, Radhika Apte is impressive in a short role. Dhansika resembles a B-grade bollywood actress of the 80’s called Neeta Puri. Don’t know how many of you will remember her! She’s acted quite well. It was surprising to see Nasser, a Kamal Haasan staple, in a cameo role.

More than the songs, it’s the background score screaming ‘KA BAA LEEE’ which is pulsating. The other technical aspects are serviceable. [ Read: Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) Movie Review]

Finally, Kabali is all about Rajini Sir. He is a phenomenon and no other star could have pulled off this film other than Sir. My ratings below are indicative of the same…